All-weather sports turf Debate
Economic Benefits - Costs
Option 1
The majority of residents expressed concerns about the high costs associated with constructing and maintaining an all-weather sports turf, emphasizing that it would benefit only a limited number of users and could lead to financial strain on the community. Many highlighted the potential for better allocation of funds to other community needs or existing facilities, suggesting that improvements to current sports fields would be more cost-effective and benefit a broader segment of the community. Additionally, there were significant worries about the environmental impact and sustainability of an all-weather turf, with suggestions that maintaining and upgrading existing grass fields would pose fewer environmental risks and align better with community values.
Table of comments:
| Point No | Comment |
|---|---|
| 8.1 | Tahuna Football Club recognises the need for improved sports facilities in the Nelson region. However, we do not believe the proposal for a new all-weather sports turf would significantly benefit our club based on the potential locations outlined in Nelson City Council's 2021 Sports Field Capacity review. That review indicated an all-weather turf at Neale Park would primarily serve FC Nelson and rugby clubs, while one at Saxton Field would mainly be utilized by Nelson Suburbs. As a club based at Tahunanui Reserve, neither of those locations would be conveniently accessible for Tahuna's 6 senior teams. Instead, we support the review's recommendation of Option 1 - Improving lighting and quality of existing grass fields. Specifically for Tahuna, the suggested actions of installing new lighting along both sides of the fields near the modellers pond, and replacing poles with taller ones on the main reserve, would serve our community's needs extremely well. These improvements would resolve long-standing issues around ground usage and prioritisation that Tahuna currently faces in sharing limited facilities with Marist Rugby Club.While all-weather turfs offer theoretical benefits, the 2021 review acknowledges they would inevitably become focused on serving the needs of co-located clubs like FC Nelson and the city's secondary schools. As a more outward community club, Tahuna does not anticipate tangible long-term gains from such a facility that would justify the significant capital and operating costs, especially if it came at the expense of reduced maintenance budgets for existing grass fields.We encourage council to prioritise improving lighting, drainage and general turf quality across the region's current facilities in its Long Term Plan. This would provide more equitable benefits for all clubs like Tahuna while avoiding the potential situation where a small number of clubs become the primary users of a specialized all-weather facility.Thank you for considering our submission. We welcome any further dialogue on these crucial issues for the future of community sport in Nelson. |
| 40.6 | Only the "elite teams" will likely get access to an all weather turf. So not many in our community will actually benefit. Option 1 is likely to benefit more people. Also the cost of the all weather turf could get better bang for buck elsewhere. EG a lot more people use the Nelson Centre for Musical Arts then I suspect will ever use an all weather turf and they are crying out for support. |
| 56.6 | Too expensive for current circumstances. We have a lot of large and good sports amenities for quite a small city; let's make do with them for the time being.In addition, what kind of turf is being imagined here? On the surface, I oppose microplastic-generating and other heavy-polluting turf. Traditional grass turf already poses significant problems with soil conservation, pollution and water management as it is, and that warrants a close look at management practices. But maybe a full lifecycle analysis will show that my instincts are wrong here. Please, show us the lifecycle analysis so that we can make better submissions. |
| 77.6 | All weather turf is an expensive option which will benefit a few and is expensive to install |
| 110.6 | I believe this to be an excessive use of rate payer funds. It benefits only a small portion of Nelson rate payers, which is predominantly male oriented sports being men's soccer and rugby training. I would like to know the statistics of days or games lost due to bad weather, as I think with Nelson's typical mild winters this would be minimal compared to all winter sports. I don't believe this is a good use of rates money as it benefits so few and I don't think it will bring in anymore spending into the city and youth won't benefit as the claim is being made, as youth can already use the current fields which are still fit for purpose. I would much rather see funding for a surf lifesaving facility that benefits the whole community and is inclusive of all genders and ages, not channelled into just one male dominated sport. |
| 162.6 | It seems that there is relatively low benefit for the cost given that we generally have few times when the fields are too wet. I am concerned about affordability for the users. There are environmental effects: plastic discharge from Astroturf (or equivalent), removal of grassed area that is a good feeding ground for oystercatchers and other birds, higher carbon emissions and the increased area in impervious surface leads to reduced summer stream flow. |
| 569.6 | I'd be concerned if existing sports fields suffered deterioration as a result of a focussed financial commitment on one facility |
| 659.6 | One as cheaper and less environmental impact. |
| 694.5 | 1 all weather turf is not going to be enough and using anything plastic or artificial really isn't good for the environment. Unfortunately, after watching the budget blows for the Greenmeadows Centre (and other projects) I don't trust the Council to be able to build an All-weather turf on a proposed budget, and so I think it is best to keep with the current fields and maintain as normal when needed. |
| 828.6 | (nice to have an all weather turf but is it really essential) |
| 884.6 | synthetic turf can be a bad value over the long term, there are serious environmental problems to consider, and the costs to install and maintain any sizable, well-done installation proved so high that we concluded we’d be better off investing the money and effort in just about any other form of landscaping. |
| 894.6 | cheaper for everyone and still support the improved drainage work and lighting for sports fields a good middle ground i reckon. Also they can always play futsal or indoor touch or rippa. The short lifespan and massive amount of microplastics from all weather turf are more reasons to not spend council money on that. Turf hurts a lot more than mud to fall on also, really it’s all a bit of fun and connection to papatuanuku and with improved drainage systems fields shouldn’t be too bad too often anyway. And if they are it’s not a subdivision so theres no big cost to fix so its all good really. |
| 912.2 | I do not believe a new all-weather sports turf would significantly benefit any other club or entity, other than those already on site, based on the proposed locations (Neale Park or Saxton Field)I support improving lighting and quality of existing grass fields instead (Option 1 from 2021 review)Specific suggestions:Install new lighting along both sides of Tahunanui fields near modelers pondReplace poles with taller ones on main reserveConcerns that an all-weather turf would inevitably become focused on serving needs of co-located clubs like FC Nelson, Suburbs and schoolsAn all-weather turf may come at the expense of reduced maintenance for existing grass fields---‐---------Upgrading Tahunanui Reserve Facilities:Tahuna FC strongly supports upgrading facilities at Tahunanui ReserveCurrent amenities like changing rooms are extremely substandard - old, rundown, and leakingWith 6 senior teams and plans for a youth program, the club requires better facilitiesOpportunity to transform the reserve into an integrated community hub for summer and winter sport codesRequest for Tahuna FC to be included in any consultation on new shared facilities impacting operationsPropose exploring housing Tahuna FC in any new multi-code facility for surf lifesaving and summer sportsCould create operational efficiencies and reduce maintenance costsProvide a vibrant, sustainable community hub for year-round sport and recreationFacilities should match the world-class status of Tahunanui Beach environment |
| 939.5 | The cost will double, thats a given. There is no money for 'wants' like this. Football and rugby can source the cash themselves. Theres an all weather pitch at Nelson College. Nelson Girls have an indoor futsal facility. The football teams can hire that for next to nothing. Creative thinking by the heads of the Rugby and Football Clubs is what is needed to find alternative solution for training. Too few people will benefit, and in this climate there just isn't the money. |
| 939.5 | The cost will double, thats a given. There is no money for 'wants' like this. Football and rugby can source the cash themselves. Theres an all weather pitch at Nelson College. Nelson Girls have an indoor futsal facility. The football teams can hire that for next to nothing. Creative thinking by the heads of the Rugby and Football Clubs is what is needed to find alternative solution for training. Too few people will benefit, and in this climate there just isn't the money. |
| 939.5 | The cost will double, thats a given. There is no money for 'wants' like this. Football and rugby can source the cash themselves. Theres an all weather pitch at Nelson College. Nelson Girls have an indoor futsal facility. The football teams can hire that for next to nothing. Creative thinking by the heads of the Rugby and Football Clubs is what is needed to find alternative solution for training. Too few people will benefit, and in this climate there just isn't the money. |
| 939.5 | The cost will double, thats a given. There is no money for 'wants' like this. Football and rugby can source the cash themselves. Theres an all weather pitch at Nelson College. Nelson Girls have an indoor futsal facility. The football teams can hire that for next to nothing. Creative thinking by the heads of the Rugby and Football Clubs is what is needed to find alternative solution for training. Too few people will benefit, and in this climate there just isn't the money. |
| 959.6 | Regrettably I must support OPTION 1. This is NOT essential expenditure so should be deferred for consideration in the 4 - 10 years LTP time frame. |
| 1003.6 | Please. No. |
| 1018.6 | When all the important things are done we can look at the "play things". (Trafalgar Park - under utilised!).Nero fiddled while Rome burned! |
| 1057.5 | I support Option 1: Continue to upgrade our existing sports fields. |
| 1068.6 | All-Weather Sports Turf: Tahuna FC does not believe a new all-weather sports turf would significantly benefit the club based on the proposed locations (Neale Park or Saxton Field) The club supports improving lighting and quality of existing grass fields instead (Option 1 from 2021 review) Specific suggestions for Tahuna: Install new lighting along both sides of fields near modelers pond Replace poles with taller ones on main reserve Concerns that an all-weather turf would inevitably become focused on serving needs of co-located clubs like FC Nelson, Suburbs and schools An all-weather turf may come at the expense of reduced maintenance for existing grass fields ---‐--------- Upgrading Tahunanui Reserve Facilities: Tahuna FC strongly supports upgrading facilities at Tahunanui Reserve Current amenities like changing rooms are extremely substandard - old, rundown, and leaking With 6 senior teams and plans for a youth program, the club requires better facilities Opportunity to transform the reserve into an integrated community hub for summer and winter sport codes Request for Tahuna FC to be included in any consultation on new shared facilities impacting operations Propose exploring housing Tahuna FC in any new multi-code facility for surf lifesaving and summer sports Could create operational efficiencies and reduce maintenance costs Provide a vibrant, sustainable community hub for year-round sport and recreation Facilities should match the world-class status of Tahunanui Beach environment I am a member of Tahuna Football Club and I fully endorse the collective views of my team which are summarised above. Thanks |
| 1072.6 | Alarge amount was spent on the turf at Trafalgar Park and facilities at Saxtons Field at little or no cost to the sports involved whereas the Aero Club are charged commercial rates for ground rental rates and landing fees when the western grass would be sufficient for them as their park. They do not run a commercial operation , just a sporting club that help establish the current air port. |
| 1119.4 | all facilities will always need Continuous upgrading even an all weather one so they can't be left with less maintenance going forward. Continue upgrading to maintain them in good condition |
| 1208.6 | Sports are sport. Part and parcel are the challenges of variable weather and pitch conditions. Investment in artificial grounds decreases the ‘sporting’ in sports and introduces depreciating assets that will only require more money to upgrade, replace, or remove in the future with a likely long period of degraded services before their demise. |
| 1216.6 | Sports is one of the most highly funded areas by Council. Large numbers of Nelsonians do not play sport, especially the contact team sports. I would like Council to place more of the burden of of the cost of field maintenance on the clubs that use the the fields. |
| 1221.6 | Nice idea but not worth the cost when we have storm damage to deal with and constrained finances. Pay down debt instead. |
| 1221.6 | Nice idea but not worth the cost when we have storm damage to deal with and constrained finances. Pay down debt instead. |
| 1225.6 | I give support to Option 1My comments include- if Council is not prepared to increase residential rates appropriately, it cannot afford such an asset: it would be a “nice to have” project: rather than “essential”- do Councillors genuinely believe that the project would be “ canned” if the sports codes raised (other than from Council) only 40 - 45% of the capital costs.- My cynicism is such that I firmly believe that a future Council would succumb to pleas of “poverty” (or “inequality” in comparison to arts funding) concerning the suggested maintenance costs of $36k – much less to annually fund depreciation in “cold hard cash”. I may well be wrong (and I acknowledge a reference to “same basis as similar facilities”), but I am not aware of any sporting entity that is asked to fund depreciation annually in cash- My grand-children will not be happy at having to play their sport on sub-standard grounds when the money for upkeep of the usual sports grounds is curtailed, and they are not allowed on the sacred new turf |
| 1225.6 | I give support to Option 1My comments include- if Council is not prepared to increase residential rates appropriately, it cannot afford such an asset: it would be a “nice to have” project: rather than “essential”- do Councillors genuinely believe that the project would be “ canned” if the sports codes raised (other than from Council) only 40 - 45% of the capital costs.- My cynicism is such that I firmly believe that a future Council would succumb to pleas of “poverty” (or “inequality” in comparison to arts funding) concerning the suggested maintenance costs of $36k – much less to annually fund depreciation in “cold hard cash”. I may well be wrong (and I acknowledge a reference to “same basis as similar facilities”), but I am not aware of any sporting entity that is asked to fund depreciation annually in cash- My grand-children will not be happy at having to play their sport on sub-standard grounds when the money for upkeep of the usual sports grounds is curtailed, and they are not allowed on the sacred new turf |
| 1225.6 | I give support to Option 1My comments include- if Council is not prepared to increase residential rates appropriately, it cannot afford such an asset: it would be a “nice to have” project: rather than “essential”- do Councillors genuinely believe that the project would be “ canned” if the sports codes raised (other than from Council) only 40 - 45% of the capital costs.- My cynicism is such that I firmly believe that a future Council would succumb to pleas of “poverty” (or “inequality” in comparison to arts funding) concerning the suggested maintenance costs of $36k – much less to annually fund depreciation in “cold hard cash”. I may well be wrong (and I acknowledge a reference to “same basis as similar facilities”), but I am not aware of any sporting entity that is asked to fund depreciation annually in cash- My grand-children will not be happy at having to play their sport on sub-standard grounds when the money for upkeep of the usual sports grounds is curtailed, and they are not allowed on the sacred new turf |
| 1254.6 | spending massive amounts on few artificial fields is a total waste of money |
| 1272.6 | The construction of an all-weather turf is not a priority. It is more expensive than what we're already doing and will have a negative environmental impact. |
| 1338.5 | In a time of financial difficulty, this feels like wholly wasteful spending. Furthermore, building an all-weather turf in a potentially at-risk climate area that is clearly biased towards a limited number of sports is unnecessary, as these sports can already play outside for the most part while other sports that cannot lack indoor facilities entirely. Where is the proposed funding for public INDOOR tennis courts, then? Or indoor track and field/gymnasium? Why does rugby always get all the preferential treatment? An upgrade to the fields is sufficient without building a wasteful plastic all-weather turf. |
| 1355.3 | I don’t believe an all weather sports turf is necessary if sports grounds are going to be upgraded and properly maintained. |
| 1412.6 | What always happens with these types of purchases is that the budget blows out massively, almost immediately after the paperwork is signed. Will end up costing residents 3 or 4 times the initial estimate. We shouldn't do this right now, more important things need attention |
| 1468.6 | Although an all weather field may be nice - now is not the time!! |
| 1474.15 | We support Option 1 of retaining the current approach to sports field management. |
| 1479.6 | Could this not be privately funded ? |
| 1482.6 | We do not agree with the recommendation and favour option 1 (retain current approach).We consider there is insufficient data supplied to endorse the proposal, although we note the requirement that the clubs involved have some “skin in the game”.It is unclear in the LTP as to the extent of usage of the facility, or how bad a handicap the present arrangements are, and it appears that the area is primarily being developed as a training facility.At a time when there is significant pressure on rates and compelling reasons to apply funding in other areas, we oppose such investment in what is an unclear and possibly low-priority application.We are not averse to this being reconsidered in the next Annual Plan, with suitably expanded supporting data. |
| 1494.4 | Support Option 1 - Retain current approach of continuing to improve existing sports fields. |